BLOOMINGTON – Matt Caldie has filed candidacy paperwork and provided a statement in support of his candidacy to fill the office of Monroe County Councilperson at Large.
Eligible Precinct Committeepersons will gather at the Nat U. Hill Room of the Monroe County Courthouse on Sunday, January 5, 2025, at 1 p.m. to vote in caucus to appoint pro tempore a candidate for this vacancy.
MCDP will only share statements by those candidates who have filed their paperwork with the Party Secretary.
Hello Everyone,
My name is Matt Caldie, and I am writing today because I hope to earn your vote as a candidate to fill the office of Monroe County Council at-large in the upcoming vacancy caucus. This past spring, I spent months interviewing for a chance to represent the county on the council – participating in forums, filling out questionnaires, and personally knocking on over 3,300 doors.
On primary election night, I was excited but also incredibly nervous. At the Monroe County Democratic Party’s election watch party, Cheryl approached me and asked if we could talk. She pulled me aside and told me a story from earlier in her political days. She reminded me that it doesn’t always work out on your first try. She said that I shouldn’t give up, but before she could get far into her next thought, the final results came in, and our conversation ended for the night.
I didn’t know Cheryl well or for long, but I will remember her as a kind person who was passionate about public service. She clearly made a significant impact on the council and left a lasting impression within Monroe County.
I’m running for this seat because I am passionate about making a difference in my community. I want to help steer our county in ways that benefit the entire population, not just those with the most influence. Up until a few years ago, I had worked only physical, largely underpaid blue-collar jobs. I also changed rental properties nearly every year, always with 1-4 roommates, doing what it takes to get by in such an expensive town. These experiences have provided me with invaluable perspectives on the challenges our county faces and the needs of our residents. I know firsthand how the types of employment and housing choices out there can make people feel like there are no good options for them.
I’m running because I care and because there’s work to be done. I hope to work collaboratively with my colleagues to create a brighter future for Monroe County.
Of my experiences serving the public, my most noteworthy impact on government has been serving on the Bloomington Environmental Commission. Since being appointed in 2017, I have helped provide updates to Bloomington’s Unified Development Ordinance and Climate Action Plan and published a Bloomington Air Quality advisory report. I have done outreach at numerous events, planted and distributed native plants, and have never missed a meeting.
If I earn the chance to serve on the Monroe County Council, you can trust that I will put in the work. I am committed to being a good steward of county resources and providing valuable outcomes to our community.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
For more information, visit https://www.monroedems.org/vacancy-caucus-mccal.
